It is impossible to teach Candide without teaching satire. The novel is a wonderful way to introduce or reinforce this difficult literary concept. Use storyboards to help students isolate examples of satire and thus enrich their understanding of Voltaire’s nuanced social critique. Discuss elements of satire together as a class to get started. Consider reviewing the following concepts:
“Cependant, à force de médecines et de saignées, la maladie de Candide devint sérieuse.”
"tous deux furent menés séparément dans des appartements d'une extrême fraîcheur, dans lesquels on n'était jamais incommodé du soleil..."
"et tout fut consterné dans le plus beau et le plus agréable des châteaux possibles"
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Candide is a satire, a work that uses humor to criticize something. Satire makes use of irony, hyperbole, contradiction, understatement, and comic juxtaposition to create its effect. As you study examples of satire in Candide, try to identify the literary device Voltaire uses to create that satire.
For this assignment, you will create a storyboard illustrating three examples of satire in Candide. Review your reading carefully to find specific lines or situations that reflect different satirical elements. As in the example storyboard, identify the kind of satirical device, then illustrate the scene, and include the relevant line from the text. Be prepared to explain your examples to the class.
Hook students by sharing a funny meme, cartoon, or short video clip that pokes fun at a common situation (like school lunches or homework). This helps students connect satire to their own experiences before exploring it in literature.
Give students a short news parody or comic strip and ask them to identify the target and the technique (irony, exaggeration, etc.). This builds confidence in recognizing satire's building blocks in familiar contexts.
Read a brief passage aloud and think aloud as you identify the satirical device and its effect. Use simple, direct language to make your thought process transparent for students.
Assign each group a different passage from Candide and have them work together to find the satirical elements, discuss their purpose, and share their findings with the class. This promotes active engagement and peer learning.
Invite students to write or draw a satirical take on a school rule or daily routine using one literary device from Candide. This activity encourages application and synthesis in a way that's both fun and memorable.
Candide uses several elements of satire such as irony, hyperbole, contradiction, understatement, and comic juxtaposition to humorously critique society and human behavior.
To teach satire with Candide, have students identify examples of satirical devices in the text, create storyboards or spider maps illustrating these examples, and discuss how Voltaire uses humor to criticize social issues.
An example of irony in Candide is the line: “Cependant, à force de médecines et de saignées, la maladie de Candide devint sérieuse.” This highlights the absurdity of medical practices and serves as a humorous critique of authority.
Candide is effective for teaching satire because its clear examples of satirical techniques—like irony and exaggeration—help students grasp complex literary devices in an engaging, accessible way.
A storyboard activity asks students to pick three satirical moments in Candide, identify the device used, illustrate each scene, and include quotes. This visual approach reinforces comprehension and analysis.